Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
79Single-core69.7
86.8Multi-core56.8
44.4Efficiencyspec-based75.7
60.5iGPU75.9
73.9Platformspec-based60.5
15 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus2 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 65.3, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+30) and single-core (+9). Intel Core Ultra 7 255H still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 70
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 57
- 113% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 18,624
- 100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB
- 91% higher PassMark: 58,672 vs 30,782
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
- Stronger iGPU score: 76 vs 61
- 100% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 3,719 vs 1,855
- 49% lower Base TDP: 28 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 28 W+49% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+39% | 115 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+50% | 16 |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Threads | 24+50% | 16 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+35% | 2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+8% | 5.1 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+50% | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Arc 140T |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 2,250 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-8400 / DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+12%Top 11% | 2,851Top 29% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+40%Top 9% | 15,362Top 23% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+14%Top 3% | 2,055Top 18% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+113%Top 2% | 18,624Top 20% |
| PassMark | 58,672+91%Top 1% | 30,782Top 21% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 36% | 3,719+100%Top 7% |
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